SAMPLE.MNU Sample menu outline for you to generate code fromGRUMPDEM.EXE GrumpMenu executable demoGRUMPSCR.LIB Library containing several functions for use with GrumpMenuINSTALL.MNU Menu outline for GrumpMenu installation programINSTALL.PRG Source code generated by GrumpMenu from INSTALL.MNUORDER.TXT Handy-dandy mailer for you to order GrumpMenuREADME.BAT Batch file to compile and link the INSTALL and TUTOR programsREADME.1ST You're reading itTUTOR.MNU Menu outline for GrumpMenu tutorial programTUTOR.HLP Text file for use with tutorial programTUTOR.PRG Source code generated by GrumpMenu from TUTOR.MNU

Note: all configuration files that begin with "EGA" are for use with EGAand VGA systems only! They utilize enhanced background colors, whichare not available on CGA systems. To make use of these configurationfiles, you will have to call the function BlinkBit(), which toggles theblink attribute to use enhanced background colors. This function is isprovided in the library GRUMPSCR.LIB.

WHY BOTHER WITH GRUMPMENU?--------------------------

It is increasingly important for database applications not only to workgreat but to look great too. Although cosmetics may seem trivial in thecold world of computing, the simple truth is that people respond morefavorably to an attractive application than to an ugly one.

Consequently, niceties such as "user-friendly" front-end menu systemsare moving rapidly from being optional to standard equipment. If youhave ever tried writing one from scratch, GrumpMenu will pay for itselfthe first time you use it. And for those of you who have used otherproducts on the market for your menuing, be prepared to stop using themonce you try GrumpMenu.

By investing a modicum of your time, you can use GrumpMenu to dress upany Clipper Summer '87 application with a gorgeous, easy-to-use menusystem. GrumpMenu gives you complete aesthetic control over the menu(with an installation program that is generated by GrumpMenu itself!).It allows you to define your own custom entrance and exit routineswithout a hassle. It is also a cinch to embed source code within yourmenu structure.

GrumpMenu lets you save an unlimited number of configuration files, eachcontaining different menu configurations. Those of you with multipleclients will find this feature invaluable, because not every client willwant the same color scheme. Hey, you can even have your client selecttheir own color scheme with the GrumpMenu installation program - it'seasy enough for anyone to use!

Consultants will also love GrumpMenu's prototype feature. This allowsyou to develop a mock-up of a completed system with a minimum of effort(which usually works out quite well since the client will not want topay you for the whole thing in advance). All you do is toggle oneconfiguration option, and GrumpMenu will generate a FULLY FUNCTIONALMENU WITHOUT DEFINING THE FUNCTIONS IT WILL CALL. This makes designingand modifying the interface as easy as entering the outline - once thefunctions are available, the system will automatically execute them.GrumpMenu automatically adds the necessary code to avoid run-time errors.

GrumpMenu also generates its own tutorial program, which gives you athorough overview of nearly everything in this documentation. Plus,you can easily modify this tutorial program to create your own"hypertext-like" reference program.

This release of GrumpMenu is only guaranteed to support the Summer '87release of Clipper; use with earlier versions of Clipper may causeinconsistent results and numerous compiler or linker errors. WhenClipper 5.0 is released (and fully debugged), GrumpMenu will be ready togenerate code that takes advantage of the powerful new 5.0 features.

HOW TO USE THIS DEMO--------------------

This is a fully functional demo version of GrumpMenu. First, typeREADME to compile and link the installation (INSTALL) and tutorial(TUTOR). You can use the installation program to create your owncustomized menu configuration files. Use the tutorial to learn moreabout the syntax and guidelines for building your own menu outlines.

To use GrumpMenu, you must first create a menu outline (.MNU) file. Youwill not have to struggle with learning complex syntax to accomplishthis. A brief reading of the menu outlines provided with GrumpMenushould be all that you need to start creating your own menu outlines.Try generating code from the SAMPLE.MNU file with the following command:

Go back and forth between SAMPLE.MNU and SAMPLE.EXE to see howGrumpMenu translates the options.

Although two other menu outlines, TUTOR.MNU and INSTALL.MNU, areincluded in this package, due to their complexity you will be unable togenerate code from them with this demo version of GrumpMenu. Whichbrings us to...

THE CATCH---------

Although this is a fully functional version of GrumpMenu, it is still ademo. There are limits to the size of the menu you can generate codefor, namely:

- Maximum of 2 levels of nesting (top level and one sub)- Maximum of 3 options per menu

We are confident that after you make a few small sample menus and haveGrumpMenu generate code for them, you will agree that GrumpMenu should bea part of your programming arsenal, which leads us to....

HOW TO ORDER GRUMPMENU----------------------

The GrumpMen will be off-planet until the 20th of November, 1989, so ifyou decide you would like to have a copy for your very own, you will haveto wait until that time to phone in your order. However, you are welcometo mail in the order form to Custom Software Development before that time.The postman doesn't mind the workout.

The price for GrumpMenu is $99. You will save that much (if not more)the very first time you use it!

Personal and company checks are acceptable forms of payment, as areMastercard, VISA, and American Express. Either print out the fileORDER.TXT, complete and mail to us at the address below, or call (503)588-1815 and ask for one of the GrumpMen.

As a GrumpMenu owner, you will be given exclusive membership to"Grumpfish Land", the Grumpfish support BBS, home of all Grumpfishproducts and a boatload of handy Clipper and DOS files.